How to remove Google redirect virus — manual & automatic removal

google.com is arguably the most popular search engine in the world. So, it’s not an issue for most people if their searches are being redirected to Google. But if you have the Google Chrome redirect virus on your Mac, you could be compromising your own privacy. All without knowing it either.

This article will go more in-depth on what this virus is, how it ended up on your Mac, and, best of all, what you can do to remove it.

What is Google redirect virus?

This virus is a browser hijacker that diverts all of your searches through google.com. Harmless, right? Especially if Google is your search engine of choice, this might not seem like such a big deal. But if a browser hijacker is installed on your Mac, then there’s a chance everything you search for is being tracked. That compromises your entire browsing history.

How did it end up on your computer?

The most common way for a hijacker like this to get on your computer is by being bundled with other free software. This is why it’s always important to know the source you’re downloading apps from.

How to remove Google redirect virus

Uninstalling the Google redirect virus from your Mac isn’t as intimidating as it might sound. If you keep reading, you’ll see how to do it either manually or automatically using the Mac optimization and cleaning app CleanMyMac.

This particular virus installs a new user profile with extended admin privileges. This is why it is so hard to delete.

Removing Google redirect virus manually

If you feel up to the challenge of getting rid of the Google redirect virus manually, the steps will vary depending on which browser you’re using. But before you go into any of your browsers, see if the virus has installed a rogue system profile.

Here’s how to check and remove a profile on your Mac:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to General (in the sidebar) > Device Management.
   (If you don't see Device Management, no profiles are installed on your Mac.)
3. Select the malicious profile and click - at the bottom.
4. Restart your MacBook.

After you’ve removed any rogue profiles, you’re ready to clean out whichever browser, if not all of them, are impacted by the virus.

Safari

In Safari, you’re going to want to clear out any mysterious extensions that are installed. To do that:

1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari > Settings > Extensions.
3. Then, select the suspicious extension and click “—” at the bottom.

Google Chrome

In Google Chrome, the redirect virus works a little differently. Instead of deleting any extensions, you’ll need to reset Chrome altogether. To do that, just follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Then, click Settings.
4. In the Reset settings section, click Restore settings to their original defaults.
5. Click Reset Settings to confirm.

Firefox

Firefox functions similarly to Chrome. So, cleaning out the redirect virus requires resetting the browser entirely, too. Here’s how you do that:

1. Open Firefox.
2. At the top, click the three lines > Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
3. Confirm by clicking Refresh Firefox again.
4. Once Firefox restarts, click Done.

Microsoft Edge

If you run Microsoft Edge, the process is identical to Google Chrome. 

1. Open Edge and go to menu > Settings > Reset settings. 
2. Click Restore settings to their default values > Reset. 

How to get rid of Google redirect virus with CleanMyMac

You do not have to be alone in dealing with this virus, so naturally, somebody on the internet has already worked out a solution. For Mac users, it’s reasonable to use CleanMyMac because this app is a Mac-specific tool that can remove malware and viruses.

It can help you find Google Chrome redirect virus and even does a little bit more. It performs simple tasks like cleaning system junk and uninstalling apps, ensuring your Mac is performing at maximum efficiency.

Scan for malware

First things first, you should scan for any malware. Even if you’ve already gotten rid of the Google redirect virus manually, it’s a good idea to scan to see if there is anything you’ve missed. To scan for malware:

1. Open CleanMyMac (get your free trial here).
2. In the sidebar, click Protection.
3. Then, click Scan and hit Remove (if malware has been detected).

Empty system junk

Another thing you should do, even if you removed the virus manually, is empty any system junk. Follow these steps to scan for and get rid of any lingering supporting files:

1. Open CleanMyMac.
2. Click Cleanup > Scan.
3. Now, you can review what CleanMyMac has found or click Clean right away — it will remove only safe-to-delete files.

Use the uninstaller

Depending on how severe the redirect virus infestation is, you might need to uninstall Google Chrome or whatever browser you’re using altogether. These are the steps for doing that with CleanMyMac:

1. Open CleanMyMac.
2. In the sidebar, click Applications > Scan > Manage My Applications.
3. Select Google Chrome or another browser (except for Safari) from the list.
4. Click Uninstall. 

You can now go to the official website and redownload Google Chrome or any other web browser you've just uninstalled. 

Even though the Google Chrome redirect virus might not seem as troublesome as some of the other malware that’s out there, it’s not something you want to leave unchecked. It can track your browsing data and leave more of your information at risk for exposure. If you think your Mac may have an issue like this, the best thing you can do is scan for it using an antimalware app.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Chrome say "Managed by your organization" and is it the redirect virus? 

It is a red flag on a personal device that has never been owned by an organization, signaling to a browser hijacker or redirect virus that locks down settings to force-install unwanted extensions and search redirects. However, if you use a Mac owned by your company or run by your school, this message simply means enterprise policies are controlling your browser. 

Should I flush DNS cache on Mac after removing a redirect virus?

Yes, you should flush your Mac's DNS cache after removing a redirect virus. Doing so clears out any old, corrupted, or malicious domain mappings left behind, forcing your system to fetch fresh and correct website addresses. If you're not sure how to do it, jump to this guide.

How can I tell if the redirect virus is still active and how do I verify my Mac is clean after I tried to remove it?

To check if a browser redirect virus (adware/hijacker) is still active, look for continuous search engine hijacking to unexpected sites, unknown browser extensions, unauthorized proxy or DNS settings, and persistent rogue background processes. Verify your Mac is clean by running deep scans with trusted tools and auditing hidden system folders.